Today’s employer advice is from Bob Summers, Interim Executive Director of Blue Water Baltimore.
Q: Tell us about your organization.
Clean water. Strong communities. Blue Water Baltimore’s mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy and thriving communities.
For too long, Baltimore’s waterways have been plagued by trash, toxins, sewage, and polluted stormwater. These problems do more than harm our environment; they threaten the health and well-being of our residents, communities, and local businesses. We work to change this.
Blue Water Baltimore takes a holistic approach to making safe, clean water a reality in Baltimore. We:
- Monitor water quality and hold polluters accountable
- Plant trees and replace hard surfaces with gardens
- Educate residents and students on how to help protect our water
- Advocate for laws and policies to fix the problems we see firsthand
- Grow and sell native plants at our Herring Run Nursery
- Work hand-in-hand with the communities we serve
Q: What advice would you give to people in midlife who want to transition to a green job?
If you haven’t already, start by volunteering and learning more about green professions. If you are already a volunteer, take advantage of the many free online learning opportunities to build your expertise in your chosen area. You need to be willing to get your hands dirty and work alongside other people who share your interests.
Q: What are the skills that you believe will be required most in the short-medium term in your industry?
Ability to communicate clearly with language that is accessible to everyone. There is a big focus on engaging and working alongside communities that have not traditionally participated in environmental work.